Stories for December 20th 2003

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Falklands Councillors deplore Argentina's “bullying and threatening” tactics.

All eight elected members of the Falkland Islands Government condemned what they called, 'Argentina's bullying and threatening tactics' during a meeting of the Legislature on Friday.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Bolivia insists in access to the Pacific.

Bolivia's caretaker president Carlos Mesa said in Montevideo that his landlocked nation will never give up its claim to at least a piece of the Pacific coastline lost to Chile following the Pacific war of 1879. Mr. Mesa also appealed to Brazil to use its diplomatic influence to help resolve the dispute.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Another victory for Lula da Silva.

The Brazilian Senate approved this week another crucial piece of legislation for the Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva administration, an overhaul of the taxing system in one the world's countries with most uneven wealth distribution.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

Record low inflation in the US.

The United States consumer price index dropped 0,2% last November bringing the annual rate of underlying inflation to 1,1%, the lowest since 1966, according to the latest Commerce Department release.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

UK interest rate remains unchanged: 3,75%

The Bank of England left interest rates unchanged at 3,75% during the December meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee but suggestions of an increase in the near future seem certain.

Saturday, December 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

US-Central America free trade treaty

Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua reached this week a free trade agreement with the United States, reported the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington.